Launching in Cape Vidal South Africa

Launching In Cape Vidal South Africa

Information

Launching in Cape Vidal South Africa

All Skippers please use the following as guidelines only. Make sure that you follow all procedures as per the SAMSA Skippers Regulations as well as all other regulations pertaining to fishing.

Launching Tips from Cape Vidal

Herewith is a good video clip on launching from Cape Vidal.

Top Tips for Beach Launching PRE-LAUNCH CHECKS

Prior to launching ensure that your tyres have been deflated for beach driving 1 Bar is always a good start.

Run Outboard's at the wash bay to ensure that they are mechanically sound.

Close all hatches with your Bungs more often than not have Skippers forgotten this little check that could prove to be fatal.

Ensure that all hatches are locked, all rods are stowed away.

Ariel is in a upright position and radio is in working condition.

Life jackets placed on deck.

make sure that their is nothing loose lying around on the deck.

If you have a T-Top make sure that it is tight and all bolts fixed.

Marlin outriggers and rods, if possible try to fit outriggers only once behind the backline and rods should be securely fitted and rigged to the vessel.

Launching from the Beach Tips

Top Tips and Procedure's once on the Beach

Always ensure that you have checked the beach area where you will offload your vessel, their are numerous rocks and they may be submerged.

Check where the other vessels are offloading and ensure that their are no hidden rocks.

Make sure you know what the tides are doing as Cape Vidal has a rip when high tide approaches

Cape Vidal is known for it's sugar sand and this has caused numerous anglers to get stuck, do not apply heavy breaking when dropping your vessel into the water or onto the beach.

Sit back and watch where other vessels are launching, wait to see how strong the rip is and also keep an eye out where the other vessels travel so as to miss submerged rocks in the bay.

Watch and try to time the gaps in between large surf swells, one can usually estimate how many swells are in a set. Patience is Key to Cape Vidal Launching.

Off- Loading Ones Vessel procedure's

Once you are confidant of the sea conditions and only then should the decision be made to launch. Do not try and launch in conditions that you feel uncomfortable with, Beach Launching is serious and accidents are common.

Off Loading your Vessel and Pre-Checks

Should you have a tow hitch on the front of your vehicle then this is a good time to turn the boat from towing to pushing.

Only once you have positioned your vessel in the right area where you will be off loading then only should all shakels be loosened.

Do Not break the Trailer (BreakNeck Trailers) only, this will ensure that your vessel slides further instead of dropping straight off.

Ensure that your crew have once again checked for rocks and rip currents. Wait for a gap and ensure that the water recedes as much as possible prior to offloading.

As you drive forward know how much breaking force is needed to drop your vessel, take into account that waves pushing from the back make also attribute to breaking force.

Remember that as the tides go out that their will be patches that remain wet and do look dry however these areas are incredibly soft and should you apply to much breaking force you will get stuck.

Once the vessel has been of loaded reverse back to the parking bay, your crew should as fast as possible turn the vessel so that it is facing the surf. Make sure that they do not try and push the vessel deep into the water as the rip will drag the vessel away and this may proof fatal should your vessel be dragged over rocks. Keep the vessel touching the sand however just enough so that it may be pushed back into the water with ease.

Once you (Skipper) have boarded the vessel make sure that all life jackets are available for all crew. Don your jacket should you not have done so already.

Crew it is their task to push the vessel into the water deep enough that the outboard may be started in a safe manner. Ensure that your crew are not in close proximity to the outboards while pushing.

It is the Crews responsibility to keep the vessel facing the oncoming breakers at all time. Only once the outboards have been started and you feel that they are warm enough should the signal be given to the crew to board the vessel. Do not engage motors while the crew are boarding, you should also be deep enough that the vessel will not wash up onto the beach.

Once all crew members have boarded make sure that they have their life jackets on.

Get to deeper water as soon as possible make youse of the crew to keep a lookout for rocks.

Once you are in deeper water and all motors have been trimmed to the correct position make one final check that all goods are stowed away and have not come loose.

Launching

While in the bay it is imperative to stay calm and once again make sure that you are able to launch your vessel through the surf zone. Should you at any time feel that you are not confident with the surf conditions turn around and beach. Their is truly no disgrace and further more live to launch another day is a good skippers Motto.

Should you feel that you are able to face and launch through the surf, mark the Rocks to your right and Make Sure that you can see the Pole at the end of the reef. This is your reference and also the area where the surf will break and be at it's biggest. Wait for your gap, only once you are certain that you will have enough time to get to the back line should you engage. Remember once committed you have but no choice.

You've Made It, we hope that you have a wonderful day and most importantly enjoy the absolute splendor that you will experience while out on the Ocean. Tight Lines ..